Alberta chief demands action after death of Indigenous man in police custody

Blood Tribe Chief Roy Fox says the death of Jon Wells on Sept. 17 after a scuffle with police at a Calgary hotel has brought back memories of a public inquiry in the 1980s that “underscored the cultural gap” between his community and police.

The chief of a southern Alberta First Nation is demanding a thorough, transparent investigation into the death of an Indigenous man in police custody.

Blood Tribe Chief Roy Fox says the death of Jon Wells on Sept. 17 after a scuffle with police at a Calgary hotel has brought back memories of a public inquiry in the 1980s that “underscored the cultural gap” between his community and police.

The inquiry saw the Blood Tribe speak out against a growing number of unexplained deaths affecting Indigenous people.

“It is disheartening that we again find ourselves in a similar situation and we are addressing these issues once again,” Fox said in a recent online video statement.

“We will be filing a formal complaint against the three officers involved in Mr. Wells's death and will demand a thorough and transparent investigation.”

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, or ASIRT, is investigating the death. The police watchdog has said officers were called to a disturbance at the Carriage House Hotel and Conference Centre.

Wells appeared dazed when he was told to leave by an officer. The agency said he raised his hands and started to walk out, telling police, “I don’t want to die.”